- Table View
- List View
Not If You Break Up with Me First
by G.F. MillerTwo friends who have unhappily found themselves accidentally dating try to drive the other one to call things off in this witty and heartfelt middle school romance.Childhood friends Eve and Andrew are destined to be together—everyone says so, especially their friends and classmates who are all suddenly crush-obsessed. So when Eve and Andrew&’s first eighth grade school dance rolls around and Eve, feeling the pressure, awkwardly asks Andrew to go with her, everyone assumes they are Officially Dating and Practically in Love. Overwhelmed, Eve and Andrew just…go with it. And it&’s weird. Neither of them wants this dating thing to mess up their friendship, and they don&’t really see each other that way. But they also don&’t want to be the one to call things off, the one to make things super awkward. So they both—separately—pledge to be the worst boyfriend or girlfriend ever, leaving it to the other person to break up with them. It would be genius…if the other person weren&’t doing the exact same thing.
Not Quite a Ghost
by Anne UrsuFrom the award-winning author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy comes an unforgettable and deeply personal story of the ghosts that surround us—and the ones we carry inside.The house seemed to sit apart from the others on Katydid Street, silent and alone, like it didn’t fit among them. For Violet Hart—whose family is about to move into the house on Katydid Street—very little felt like it fit anymore. Like their old home, suddenly too small since her mother remarried and the new baby arrived. Or Violet’s group of friends, which, since they started middle school, isn’t enough for Violet’s best friend, Paige. Everything seemed to be changing at once. But sometimes, Violet tells herself, change is okay.That is, until Violet sees her new room. The attic bedroom in their new house is shadowy, creaky, and wrapped in old yellow wallpaper covered with a faded tangle of twisting vines and sickly flowers. And then, after moving in, Violet falls ill—and does not get better. As days turn into weeks without any improvement, her family growing more confused and her friends wondering if she’s really sick at all, she finds herself spending more time alone in the room with the yellow wallpaper, the shadows moving in the corners, wrapping themselves around her at night. And soon, Violet starts to suspect that she might not be alone in the room at all.
Not the Worst Friend in the World
by Anne RellihanCan Lou Bennett keep a secret? She&’ll do just about anything to prove herself to her new friend—and the best friend she betrayed—in this debut novel that is a modern-day Harriet the Spy with high emotional stakes.It&’s the thirty-fourth day of sixth grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Missouri, and eleven-year-old Lou wishes she could rewind time. Lou wants to go back to the ninth day of sixth grade—the day before she fought with her best friend Francie and said the terrible, horrible things she can&’t unsay. Or better yet, she would go back to fifth grade when Francie was still the Old Francie. Then the new girl, Cece Clark-Duncan, passes Lou a mysterious note. It says she was kidnapped. (!) If Lou can help Cece, maybe she can prove she&’s not the world&’s worst friend. But as observant Lou uncovers the complicated truth about Cece&’s family, she starts to panic. Can she help Cece without hurting her? Or will Lou end up losing another friend instead?Anchored by an outstanding voice and a page-turning mystery, this remarkable debut novel honors the powerful middle school friendships that can both break and heal a tender eleven-year-old heart. Perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and My Jasper June.
Nova Shimmers (Forever Fairies)
by Maddy MaraJoin the four newest Sprout Wings on their adventures in the Magic Forest! These Forever Fairies will learn all there is to know about how fairies help save the day.Welcome back to the Magic Forest!Nova and her best fairy friends Lulu, Coco, and Zali are ready for their next fairy pod try-out, this time for the Shimmerbuds-who know all about fairy medicine. Nova isn't very speedy, but she loves helping the forest animals! When the forest trolls interrupt the challenge with more shenanigans, Nova has to think fast. Can she and the other Sprout Wings work together and mend the mess?
Off on a Comet (The Jules Verne Collection)
by Jules VerneBrace yourself for an out-of-this-world adventure in this Jules Verne classic following a small group of survivors set adrift in space by a comet—now with an arresting new look!A comet collides with Earth, causing a portion of the world to go floating off into space with it. On this new asteroid, thirty-six survivors of various nationalities will first need to uncover the truth of their circumstances before adapting to their new environment. But when it&’s determined the comet is on a return course to Earth, can the group survive long enough to come up with a plan to get back on the planet?
Olive Blackwood Takes Action!
by Sonja ThomasAn anxious aspiring filmmaker bands together with an unlikely friend group to protect their beloved state animal in this heartwarming contemporary middle grade novel perfect for fans of Jamie Sumner and Erin Entrada Kelly.Twelve-year-old Olive Blackwood&’s dream is to direct blockbuster fantasy movies, just like her dad wanted to before he died. She decides to apply to the highly competitive Rose City Summer Film Camp with the help of her best friend, Kayla. But Olive isn&’t sure how she can cast the movie when the mere thought of talking to a stranger makes her nervous. Then a surprise project in Olive&’s film class presents her best chance at going to Rose City: the group who makes the best documentary trailer will receive a recommendation to the elite program! But Olive&’s hopes are quickly dashed when she&’s paired with the two worst students in class: loud Jo Willems has a flashy style of dressing just as intimidating as their outspoken opinions and David Moore is even quieter than Olive, fading into the background. It seems impossible for the three of them to find enough common ground to produce something noteworthy. When Olive stumbles across an old lady chasing a beaver with a frying pan, she&’s disturbed to discover it&’s legal to kill beavers in Oregon—which has the animal on the state flag! Olive posts the video she took of the incident, and it goes viral. She wants to raise more awareness, and if she uses her documentary to do it, she could even get the coveted Rose City recommendation at the same time. With the help of unexpected friendship, counseling, and a little everyday magic, can Olive make her voice be heard?
The One and Only Family (The One and Only)
by Katherine ApplegateFor more than a decade, readers have been enchanted by the modern classic The One and Only Ivan, a Newbery Award winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller, and by its bestselling sequels, The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby. Powerhouse author Katherine Applegate invites readers back into Ivan’s world for one last adventure—his most exciting yet.Ivan has been happily living in a wildlife sanctuary, with his friend Ruby next door in the elephant enclosure, frequent visits from his canine friend Bob, and his mate Kinyani by his side. And in the happiest turn of all, Ivan and Kinyani have welcomed a set of twins to their family!Ivan loves being a papa, even though it can be hard sometimes. But as he navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood, he can’t help but recall his life before the glass walls of the mall circus, his own childhood in the jungle—and his own twin.In the tradition of timeless classics like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, the one and only Katherine Applegate has crafted a poignant, delightful, heartbreaking, unforgettable final foray into the world of Ivan, the world’s favorite silverback.
One Big Open Sky
by Lesa Cline-RansomeThree women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free—or cost them everything they have—in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement. <p><p> 1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs: an opportunity to claim the independence they’ve strived for over generations on their very own plot of land. <p><p> But Thomas’ hopes—and mouth—are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger. <p><p> Right after the war ended/and we were free/we believed/all of us did/that couldn’t nothing hurt us/the way master had when we were slaves/Couldn’t no one tell us/how to live/how to die. <p><p> Lettie, her mother, Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena are free from slavery—but bound by poverty, access to opportunity, and patriarchal social structures. Will these women survive the hardships of their journey? And as Thomas’ desire for control overpowers his common sense, will they truly be free once they get there? <p><p> Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome’s striking verse masterfully portrays an underrepresented historical era. Tackling powerful themes of autonomy and Black self-emancipation, Cline-Ransome offers readers an intimate look into the lives of three women and an expansive portrait of generations striving for their promised freedom.
One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney Taylor
by Richard MichelsonFor fans of All-of-a-Kind Family, here is the true story of how Sarah Brenner, a poor girl from New York City&’s Lower East Side, became Sydney Taylor: dancer, actress, and successful children&’s book author.Sarah Brenner might have come from an all-of-a-kind family (five sisters who all dressed alike), but she was always one of a kind. Growing up in a Jewish immigrant family on New York&’s impoverished Lower East Side, Sarah loved visiting the library, celebrating holidays with her family, and taking free dance classes at the Henry Street Settlement. But she was always aware of things that weren&’t fair—whether it was that women couldn&’t vote, or how girls were treated in her school, or that her parents had had to leave Europe because they were Jewish. When she grew up, Sarah changed her name to Sydney and became an actress and a dancer, but she never forgot the importance of fighting unfairness, whether it was anti-Semitism at her job or the low wages of workers. And when her daughter complained that it wasn&’t fair that there were no books about Jewish children like her, Sydney put pen to paper and wrote a one-of-a-kind children&’s book.From well-known Jewish children&’s author Richard Michelson, this is the story of how Sarah became Sydney and how she showed children the joy of seeing their culture reflected on the page.
Onyeka and the Heroes of the Dawn (Onyeka)
by Tolá OkogwuOnyeka and her superpowered friends set off to England on a rescue mission in this third installment in the Onyeka middle grade series, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, The Marvellers, and X-Men.Solari—children with superpowers—have always been native to Nigeria, but Onyeka and her friends have been alerted to one hidden in England. Tasked with retrieving the young Solari, they successfully complete their mission, arriving safe and sound back at the Academy of the Sun with Tobi in tow. Tobi&’s identity and superpower remain a mystery, until a breadcrumb trail leads Onyeka to the truth. But someone else has uncovered the secret, and unlike Onyeka, they don&’t have Tobi&’s best interests at heart. Can our superhero save the day once again?
Owls: Who Gives a Hoot? (Orca Wild #13)
by Frances BackhouseOwls are incredible creatures. They can see in the dimmest light, hear the faintest of sounds, fly silently and rotate their heads to look straight backward. Most owls are nocturnal, more often heard than seen. Even those that are active during the day stay largely out of sight. Owls: Who Gives a Hoot? reveals the secrets of these mysterious birds and the important role they play in our lives and their ecosystems. Learn about the 19 species that live in Canada and the United States—from the tiny elf owl to the hefty great horned owl. And meet the scientists, activists and young people who are working to keep these iconic birds in flight and turning heads for years to come.
Paige Not Found
by Jen WildeA thrilling adventure story that examines consent and privacy in a way that books have not had to before this generation where everything is online.Nothing about us, without us.When Paige learns that her parents enrolled her in an autism study without telling her, her world turns upside down. Suddenly she isn't sure if she can trust the two people she oves most. A chip was implanted in her brain that sends them information about her mood, brain activity, and location. It can even boost the chemicals that keep her calm or make her happy. So Paige has to wonder... can she even trust her own mind?Now the company that created her chip is days away from merging with the most popular social network in the world. And they are known for selling people’s private information to the highest bidder.Paige knows there is only one thing she can do. Armed with the names and addresses of the other kids involved in the study, she must track them down and tell them the truth, so they can put a stop to the merger and get the chips removed for good.
Painting the Game
by Patricia MacLachlanIn this final middle grade novel by Newbery Award–winning author Patricia MacLachlan, a young girl tries to untangle her love of baseball from her complicated relationship with her professional pitcher father.Lucy&’s father is a minor league baseball player, a professional pitcher hoping to get called up to the majors, and Lucy inherited his passion for the game. But she&’s never played pitcher. She worries her skills would be compared to her dad&’s and she&’d never measure up. And his pitching may mean big things for his career and their family, but it&’s also what keeps him away from home so much of the year. Sometimes, Lucy isn&’t sure what would be worse: being bad at pitching or being great. Still, this summer, Lucy wants to learn to throw the perfect knuckleball. She wakes up at the crack of dawn to practice in secret, without her friends Tex and Robin—or even the goats who watch them play. Even as she trains relentlessly, Lucy wonders if she&’ll ever feel brave enough to share her progress with her mom or dad. Can she prove to them, and herself, that she has what it takes?
Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm
by Siobhan McDermottA 12-year-old girl wins an invitation to train as an apprentice to immortals in the first book of the new must-read magical series destined to take the world by storm—perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Skandar and Eragon. Let the competition begin!&“A new classic fantasy adventure.&” — Eoin Colfer, author of the internationally best-selling Artemis Fowl series An outsider in her village above the cloud sea, 12-year-old orphan Yeung Zhi Ging&’s only hope of escape is to win the single invitation to train as a Silhouette: an apprentice to the immortals. After her ill-fated attempt to impress the Silhouette scout leads to a dragon attack on the jade mountain, Zhi Ging is sure that her chances, and her life, are over. But the scout spots her potential and offers her protection and a second chance. She&’s in.In her lessons in Hok Woh, the underwater realm of the immortals, Zhi Ging must face the challenging trials set by her teachers to prove that she&’s worthy of being a Silhouette—despite her rivals' attempts to sabotage her. But as Zhi Ging&’s power grows, so do the rumours of the return of the Fui Gwai, an evil spirit that turns people into grey-eyed thralls.When the impossible happens and the Fui Gwai attack the Silhouettes, can Zhi Ging use her newly uncovered talents to save her friends and the world beyond? Or will the grey-eyed spirit consume them all? &“A soaring, luminous new world." —Jessica Townsend, New York Times bestselling author of The Nevermoor series
The Partition Project
by Saadia FaruqiIn this engaging and moving middle grade novel, Saadia Faruqi writes about a contemporary Pakistani American girl whose passion for journalism starts a conversation about her grandmother’s experience of the Partition of India and Pakistan—and the bond that the two form as she helps Dadi tell her story. When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn’t have time to be Dadi’s unofficial babysitter—her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call “journalism.”As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi’s childhood in northern India—and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan.As details of Dadi’s life are revealed, Dadi’s personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.
Party Crashers (Bad Princesses #3)
by Jennifer TorresPrincesses don’t break the rules, but they may rewrite them…Every girl dreams of going to the Fine and Ancient Institute for the Royal to learn how to be a princess. But Dalia and Dominga could not be any less enchanted. They are different . . . the same kind of different. They want to join a secret society of villains at the Bewitched Academy for the Dreadful.By some stroke of unluck, Dalia has been put in charge of planning this year’s Welcome Ball . . . and she plans to make everyone regret it. The music will be creepy, the decorations will be slimy, and some of the guests will be BAD. But when Dominga volunteers to be in charge of the menu, she is excited to show the other princesses her talent. And besides, wouldn’t it be nice to actually have fun at the ball? Will Dalia ever forgive Dominga if the party doesn’t go according to her hideous plan?
Pedal, Balance, Steer: Annie Londonderry, the First Woman to Cycle Around the World
by Vivian KirkfieldAnnie Londonderry proves women can do anything they set their minds to—even cycle around the world—in this nonfiction picture book for cycling enthusiasts, budding travelers, and anyone who dreams of reaching a difficult goal.In the 1890s, times were tough, and opportunities for women were few and far between. When mother-of-three Annie Londonderry saw an ad promising $10,000 to a woman who could cycle around the world in a year, something no one thought possible, she decided it was time to learn to ride. She waved goodbye to her family in Boston and set off for Chicago.Annie was exhausted when she arrived fifty-nine days later—and she realized she&’d never make it across the Rockies before winter, and certainly not riding a heavy women&’s bike and wearing a corset and petticoats. So Annie got herself a better bicycle and comfortable bloomers, and headed back East to try a different route. Facing robbers, sprained ankles, and disapproving stares, Annie missed her family and wanted to quit. But she journeyed on, all over the world. And, when she finally reached California and the Southwest, she kept pedaling. Her family was counting on the prize money, and people around the world, especially women, were watching.Annie came through for all of them, arriving in Chicago fourteen days before her deadline and proving that women could do just about anything.
Penelope and the Curse of the Canis Diamond #2 (Puggleton Park)
by Deanna KizisFollow Penelope the pug in the second book of this delightful series set in Regency-era London!Penelope the pug is completely content in her new forever home with Lady Diggleton. So when her beloved owner receives an invitation to meet the Queen at Windsor Castle—and an instruction to bring the pug along—Penelope couldn't be more pleased for her Lady's good fortune.However, once the two arrive at the castle, their fortune starts to seem less than fortunate. The Queen commands Penelope to befriend her own pup, a snooty dog named Duchess whose manners are most offensive, and who wants nothing to do with the poor pug.But when the Queen's prized Canis diamond ring goes missing and Duchess stands accused, Penelope—who knows the dog is innocent—must find a way to defend her. If the pug is certain that her fellow canine didn't commit the crime, though, can she clear Duchess's name by determining who did?
Penny Draws a Secret Adventure (Penny Draws #3)
by Sara ShepardThe third book in the humorous, heartfelt, highly illustrated series about a girl who doodles to cope with her anxiety, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard.Little by little, Penny Lowry is making it through the fifth grade—with a bit of help from her friends Maria, Kristian, and Rocco, as well as her lovable dog Cosmo. And there's a lot of change to deal with this year! Penny's newborn twin brother and sister have everyone in her family on their last nerve with their crying. Her friends Maria and Chloe are spending a lot of time together without inviting Penny along, making her worry they might be getting tired of her. And on top of everything, Penny and her friends discover a very old map in her attic that sends them on a wild scavenger hunt all over town in search of treasure!Can Penny get her worries about her friends and family under control, and lead her group of friends to find the hidden treasure?
Perfect Revenge (Saddlehill Academy #4)
by Jessica BurkhartFrom the author of the Canterwood Crest series comes the fourth book in a middle grade series about an equestrian boarding school as Abby works to bring up her grades while new students make waves at the stables.Abby can&’t believe she&’s officially been accepted to join other elite riders at the Sasha Silver&’s winter riding clinic! Training with the Queen of Canterwood is a dream come true…until she finds out her frenemy, Selly, is the only other Foxbury rider who got in. Even worse, Abby&’s recent grades haven&’t been so hot, and her dad says that if things don&’t shape up, she won&’t be allowed to attend the winter clinic. Then two surprise Canterwood transfers make things very interesting around the Foxbury stables. Are they coming with good intentions, or do they plan to upset the status quo?
The Perilous Performance at Milkweed Meadow
by Elaine DimopoulosButternut and the meadow creatures return in this middle-grade adventure sequel that will charm animal-loving fans of The Tale of Despereaux and Clarice the Brave. Illustrated by Caldecott winner Doug Salati.After their remarkable rescue, the meadow creatures are back—now closer than ever and with beloved rabbit Butternut still captivating them all with her storytelling. But when a dazzling group of traveling turkeys shows up and persuades the meadow creatures to join them in putting on performance, Butternut is not sure she can find her place in all the excitement. She questions her storytelling abilities compared to this new crew.When it turns out the turkeys—and the grand show—are not what they seem, Butternut's family and friends are suddenly in imminent danger. Butternut must figure out how to trust herself and find help. In the end, the hope is that friendship will win once more.Beautiful and arresting black-and-white illustrations bring the animals to life in this nail-biting and heartwarming story about trust: trusting our instincts, trusting our creative talents, and trusting those who know and love us, even when it&’s hard.&“Treasured classics designed to be read aloud and shared.&”—Caroline Carlson, author of Wicked Marigold
Picture a Girl
by Jenny ManzerKey Selling Points In their small coastal town, Addie lives with her mom and little brother...until her mom (who struggles with alcoholism and depression) leaves and Addie is forced to take care of herself and her brother, without anyone finding out. Refusing the easy answers, Picture a Girl looks unflinchingly at the life of an 11-year-old girl who has learned to be an adult in her mother's absence and to lie to keep her family together. Shows surfing in a less glamorous way, as Addie's mother's only true "happy place" and an obsession that can take precedence over her kids—but also reveals it as a way forward for the family, after she returns and promises to give Addie and Billy regular surfing lessons. Jenny Manzer is the author of Save Me, Kurt Cobain , which was nominated for the Bolen Books Children's Book Prize, and My Life as a Diamond , which was nominated for numerous awards and named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year.
Piggy: Hunt: An AFK Novel (Piggy)
by Terrance CrawfordDive into terrifying world of PIGGY in the third original illustrated novel based on the fan-favorite video game!There is a mystery to be solved, a cure to be found, and a horde of Infected to escape!Welcome back to the bone-chilling, pulse-pounding world of PIGGY, the survival-horror game that will have have you hearing haunting oinks in your sleep, guaranteed! This original story set in the world of the games is packed with pulse-pounding action, goosebump-giving scares, and more infected monsters than you can shake a wrench at!
Player vs. Player #3: The Final Boss (Player vs. Player #3)
by M.K. EnglandIn the epic finale of this illustrated series, the best kid gamers in the world face their biggest battle yet, as they fight for their friend's freedom and all their gaming futures. Perfect for young fans of Ready Player One and Mr. Lemoncello's Library.Welcome to Affinity, the hottest battle royale video game around! The Weird Ones—Josh, Hannah, Larkin, and Wheatley—have become four of the biggest stars in gaming. But a surprising twist to their first professional Affinity tournament leaves Wheatley in huge trouble . . . with Hurricane Games, the company that made the game they all love.To save Wheatley, Hurricane offers them a deal: win three near-impossible challenges and Wheatley will be free. But if they lose, the kids will be banned from Affinity for life . . . and they&’ll never see Wheatley again.With their futures on the line, The Weird Ones will have to play the best they ever have. But is winning even possible when your opponent literally controls the game?
Plum to the Rescue!
by Matt PhelanIt’s baby animal season at the Athensville Zoo! Is Plum responsible enough to watch over five exuberant peachicks? From award-winning author-artist Matt Phelan—creator of Knights vs. Dinosaurs—Plum to the Rescue! is the fourth book about a young peacock whose adventures are funny, hopeful, and always kindhearted. A hilarious and highly illustrated novel perfect for reluctant readers and animal lovers everywhere.Plum is sure he can handle supervising five energetic—and mischievous—peachicks. How hard could it be? When one of the chicks ends up in the clutches of two notorious, badly behaved young zoo patrons, Plum will face his most thrilling adventure yet—a rescue mission outside the zoo walls!With short chapters and energetic black-and-white illustrations, these novels about Plum and his friends at the zoo are just right for newly independent readers, tackling an emotional theme relevant and accessible to the audience. Full of heart and humor, Plum to the Rescue! is a great choice for fans of the Mercy Watson and the Princess in Black series.